
CHAPTER I. - OPENING THE SCHOOL.
CHAPTER II. - ROSAMUND TAKES THE LEAD.
CHAPTER III. - A GYPSY TEA.
CHAPTER IV. - CASTING OF THE DIE.
CHAPTER V. - AN INVITATION.
CHAPTER VI. - VISIT TO LADY JANE.
CHAPTER VII. - TEA ON THE LAKE.
CHAPTER VIII. - THE RECTORY.
CHAPTER IX. - AN UNEXPECTED ROOM-MATE.
CHAPTER X. - JANE IN DANGER.
A lively portrait unfolds as Mrs. Merriman prepares her home for a new venture—a modest boarding school for seven girls, each with distinct personalities and backgrounds. Lucy, her determined fifteen‑year‑old daughter, watches the arrival of the newcomers with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, while her mother’s boundless optimism promises a warm, orderly haven. The first day brims with introductions, nervous excitement, and the subtle clash between Lucy’s practical spirit and the genteel expectations of the household.
Through witty dialogue and vivid character sketches, the story captures the challenges of turning a family residence into a place of learning, especially when the headmistress must balance her own ambitions with the needs of her pupils. As the girls settle in, their differing temperaments hint at friendships, rivalries, and the inevitable growth that comes from sharing a roof and a common purpose. Listeners will be drawn into this charming, early‑twentieth‑century world where independence and education begin to reshape the lives of young women.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (496K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by D Alexander, Mark C. Orton, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2007-07-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1854–1914
A hugely popular Victorian storyteller, she wrote adventure, school, mystery, and domestic fiction for girls and women with remarkable speed and energy. Her books helped shape late-19th-century ideas of girlhood while also reaching into crime fiction and magazine culture.
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